Maintaining your home is an important part of being a homeowner, but it’s not always easy to know what to do, when, and how. Here is a list of high priority home maintenance items to stay on top of as a homeowner.
High Priority Home Maintenance Checklist
- Changing HVAC Air Filters Monthly. Change air conditioning and/or furnace filter monthly to keep components inside your HVAC system clean and running efficiently. When these get clogged the entire system has to work harder to to its job, which makes it less effective and can lead to breakdowns.
- Regular HVAC Preventative Maintenance. Scheduling regular inspections of your air conditioning and/or furnace can help prevent emergencies in the heat of summer or cold of winter. Experts recommend this service twice per year.
- Cleaning Your Dishwasher. Clean the inside of the dishwasher, especially the screens and reservoir where small food particles can build up. Using vinegar and baking soda regularly can make this simple and inexpensive.
- Check Detector Operation. Press your smoke and carbon monoxide detector test buttons to ensure they work. Replace batteries as needed, and keep extra batteries on-hand for times when the low-battery beeping starts.
- Cleaning Gutters Annually (Or More Often!). Clean gutters to ensure they work properly and reduce water damage issues to your foundation and/or basement. If possible, adding a gutter guard to keep out leaves and other debris can make this a lot easier over time.
- Clean Dryer Vent. Make sure that the dryer vent is appropriately venting to the outside and that nothing (like a bird’s nest) has caused a blockage that will create a fire hazard for your home.
- Replacing Weatherstripping. Replace any deteriorated weatherstripping at doors when needed, especially when repainting.
- Washing Windows Annually. Wash screens and windows annually and vacuum the window well areas.
- Cleaning Your Refrigerator Coils. Clean the coils on the backside or underneath the fridge. A vacuum hose or attachment can do the trick to help reach the coils.
- Sealing Wooden Fences and Decks. Sealing prevents moisture from damaging your wood over time, and not sealing it can drastically reduce its lifespan.
- Trimming Vegetation. Stay on top of tree, shrub, and bush trimming away from your house. This helps prevent exterior damage due to pests and deterioration. For branches near power lines, call your electric company for pruning.